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In brief: Intel CPU owners planning to request a replacement in response to the recent wave of crashes should consider starting the process as soon as possible. Numerous customer comments indicate that Intel's reserve supplies of 13th and 14th-generation Raptor Lake chips are becoming critically low.
Customers ordering replacement 13th and 14th-gen Intel CPUs have started receiving notices from the company that stock is no longer available. Affected users may be without a functioning Raptor Lake processor for at least a month.
In early August, Intel launched a replacement program for users experiencing CPU crashes due to a microcode error affecting voltage management. The chipmaker also extended warranties for boxed processors by two years, while OEMs now offer similar guarantees.
Since the beginning of the year, several sources have reported that high-end Raptor Lake chips have experienced extreme failure rates during demanding tasks. Intel released a microcode update to motherboard partners that resolves the issue without significantly impacting performance.
Users whose 13th or 14th-generation CPUs haven't yet crashed should check with their motherboard manufacturers for BIOS updates to apply Intel's patch. Unfortunately, the fix cannot repair processors already showing signs of degradation, and they will need to be replaced.
The growing number of RMAs appears to have strained Intel's supply of reserve chips. Some customers returning K-series CPUs received KF units as replacements, which lack integrated graphics. Others who sent in 13th-generation processors received free 14th-generation upgrades.
Also read: Intel's gathering storm and why it needs to stay the course
However, some unfortunate customers haven't received any replacement chips, potentially leaving them without a functioning CPU for weeks. Requesting a refund is another option, but it may limit users' choices since it only covers the processor.
Purchasing a CPU unaffected by the microcode error that still fits the Raptor Lake motherboard socket might mean downgrading to a low-end model, choosing a variant that doesn't support overclocking, or opting for a 12th-generation Alder Lake chip. On the other hand, switching to an AMD Ryzen CPU or waiting for Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake series would require buying a new motherboard.
Intel recently unveiled the Lunar Lake series for laptops and is expected to reveal Arrow Lake later this year. The company claims that neither lineup is affected by the glitch that is causing issues with Raptor Lake chips.